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Soaring Eagles at Southern Beach

A U.S. Air Force F-22A Raptor, operated by the 199th and 19th Fighter Squadrons, prepares to receive fuel from a 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker during exercise Southern Beach over the Pacific Ocean, May 15, 2024. Exercises like Southern Beach allow U.S. and Japanese Airmen to routinely train together to enhance bilateral interoperability in support of the defense of Japan and a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

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Soaring Eagles at Southern Beach

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon operated by the 175th Fighter Squadron, Joe Foss Field Air National Guard Station, South Dakota, departs after receiving fuel from a 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker during exercise Southern Beach over the Pacific Ocean, May 15, 2024. Exercises like Southern Beach allow U.S. and Japanese Airmen to routinely train together to enhance bilateral interoperability in support of the defense of Japan and a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

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Soaring Eagles at Southern Beach

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon operated by the 175th Fighter Squadron, Joe Foss Field Air National Guard Station, South Dakota, receives fuel from a 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker during exercise Southern Beach over the Pacific Ocean, May 15, 2024. Exercises like Southern Beach allow U.S. and Japanese Airmen to routinely train together to enhance bilateral interoperability in support of the defense of Japan and a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

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Soaring Eagles at Southern Beach

A U.S. Air Force F-22A Raptor assigned to the 27th Fighter Squadron receives fuel from a 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker during exercise Southern Beach over the Pacific Ocean, May 15, 2024. Southern Beach enhances U.S. relations and interoperability with regional Allies by fostering the exchange of information and refining shared tactics, techniques and procedures to better integrate bilateral defense capabilities and enhance interoperability in support of regional security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

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Soaring Eagles at Southern Beach

A U.S. Air Force F-22A Raptor assigned to the 27th Fighter Squadron prepares to receive fuel from a 909th Air Refueling Squadron KC-135 Stratotanker during exercise Southern Beach over the Pacific Ocean, May 15, 2024. The 909th ARS provided aerial refueling to fighter jets in support of Southern Beach, an annual bilateral exercise enhancing interoperability between U.S. Forces and host nation partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

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Soaring Eagles at Southern Beach

A 909th Air Refueling Squadron patch portrays the squadron insignia on U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Dave Gabriel, 909th ARS boom operator, over the Pacific Ocean, May 15, 2024. The 909th ARS provided aerial refueling to fighter jets in support of Southern Beach, an annual bilateral exercise enhancing interoperability between U.S. Forces and host nation partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

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Soaring Eagles at Southern Beach

U.S. Air Force Capt. Steven Lau, left, 18th Operational Support Squadron pilot, and U.S. Air Force Capt. Tristan Konze, 909th Air Refueling Squadron pilot, taxi a KC-135 Stratotanker during exercise Southern Beach at Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 15, 2024. Southern Beach is a bilateral exercise held annually in an effort to enhance interoperability between U.S. Forces and host nation partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

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Soaring Eagles at Southern Beach

U.S. Air Force Airmen with the 909th Air Refueling Squadron and 718th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron conduct pre-flight checks on a KC-135 Stratotanker while 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron Airmen load equipment during exercise Southern Beach at Kadena Air Base, Japan, May 15, 2024. While the 909th ARS conducted aerial refueling in support of Southern Beach, the 18th AES simultaneously conducted inflight training to enhance operational efficiency. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

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Soaring Eagles at Southern Beach

U.S. Air Force Col. Henry Schantz, right, 18th Operations Group commander, and Japan Air Self-Defense Force Col. Masayoshi Okuda, Southwestern Air Defense Force defense plans and operations commander, shake hands during planning operations for exercise Southern Beach at Naha Air Base, Japan, May 14, 2024. Southern Beach helps strengthen relationships between domestic and foreign forces, ensuring an effective response to future high-end missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

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Soaring Eagles at Southern Beach

U.S. Air Force Col. Henry Schantz, right, 18th Operations Group commander, and Japan Air Self-Defense Force Col. Masayoshi Okuda, Southwestern Air Defense Force defense plans and operations commander, pose for a photo during planning operations for exercise Southern Beach at Naha Air Base, Japan, May 14, 2024. Southern Beach is a bilateral exercise held annually in an effort to enhance interoperability between U.S. Forces and host nation partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes)

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Soaring Eagles at Southern Beach

Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15J Eagles assigned to the 204th Tactical Fighter Squadron taxi down the flightline after exercise Southern Beach at Naha Air Base, Japan, May 15, 2024. Southern Beach is a locally organized bilateral training exercise for U.S. forces and JASDF units to practice mission planning, flying and debriefing together. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Melany Bermudez)

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Soaring Eagles at Southern Beach

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15J Eagle assigned to the 204th Tactical Fighter Squadron takes off during exercise Southern Beach, at Naha Air Base, Japan, May 15, 2024. Southern Beach is a locally organized bilateral training exercise for U.S. forces and JASDF units to practice mission planning, flying and debriefing together. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Melany Bermudez)

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Soaring Eagles at Southern Beach

Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15J Eagles and Kawasaki T-4s assigned to the 204th Tactical Fighter Squadron prepare for take off during exercise Southern Beach at Naha Air Base, Japan, May 15, 2024. In support of the bilateral exercise Southern Beach, JASDF units practiced mission planning, flying and debriefing with U.S. forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Melany Bermudez)

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Soaring Eagles at Southern Beach

Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15J Eagles assigned to the 304th Tactical Fighter Squadron prepare for take off during exercise Southern Beach at Naha Air Base, Japan, May 15, 2024. Southern Beach is a locally organized bilateral training exercise for U.S. forces and JASDF units to practice mission planning, flying and debriefing together. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Melany Bermudez)

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Soaring Eagles at Southern Beach

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15J Eagle assigned to the 204th Tactical Fighter Squadron takes off during exercise Southern Beach at Naha Air Base, Japan, May 15, 2024. In support of the bilateral exercise Southern Beach, JASDF units practiced mission planning, flying and debriefing with U.S. forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Melany Bermudez)

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Soaring Eagles at Southern Beach

Japan Air Self-Defense Force pilots, assigned to the 204th Tactical Fighter Squadron, step to F-15J Eagles in support of exercise Southern Beach at Naha Air Base, Japan, May 15, 2024. Bilateral training exercises like Southern Beach help ensure allies are able to come together to effectively respond to demanding scenarios in defense of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Melany Bermudez)

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Soaring Eagles at Southern Beach

Japan Air Self-Defense Force service members, assigned to the 204th Tactical Fighter Squadron, conduct pre-flight inspections in support of exercise Southern Beach at Naha Air Base, Japan, May 15, 2024. Bilateral training exercises like Southern Beach help ensure allies are able to come together and effectively respond to demanding scenarios in defense of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Melany Bermudez)

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Soaring Eagles at Southern Beach

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force pilot, assigned to the 204th Tactical Fighter Squadron, signals to the ground crew during exercise Southern Beach at Naha Air Base, Japan, May 15, 2024. Southern Beach is a JASDF and U.S. bilateral training effort to enhance interoperability between U.S. Forces and host nation partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Melany Bermudez)

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Soaring Eagles at Southern Beach

Japan Air Self-Defense Force service members, assigned to the 204th Tactical Fighter Squadron, conduct pre-flight inspections in support of exercise Southern Beach at Naha Air Base, Japan, May 15, 2024. Southern Beach is a JASDF and U.S. bilateral training effort to enhance interoperability between U.S. Forces and host nation partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Melany Bermudez)

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Soaring Eagles at Southern Beach

Published May 20, 2024
By Airman 1st Class Jonathan R. Sifuentes and Airman 1st Class Melany Bermudez
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --

18th Wing and Japan Air Self-Defense Force conducted bilateral exercise Southern Beach at Naha Air Base and Kadena Air Base, May 13-17, 2024. Southern Beach is held annually in an effort to enhance interoperability between U.S. Forces and host nation partners.